Rain

It is the last dayof November, and we had rain. I would rather have snow and colder temperatures. November is supposed to be the start of winter in the Nordic countries. In older times, it was even called Winter Month. Still, there are several weeks until Christmas and we may still have a white Christmas. I hope we get a thick layer of snow. I want to play in deep snow again, it has been too long since we could do this.

Snow?

We had some snow falling down in the early hours of the day. It thawed, and then we had rain. It dis not help that we had temperatures below the freezing point in the evening, the snow was already gone. I wish we could get a thick layer of snow, great for outdoor playing.

Frost

The world was like a cake with a lot of frosting this morning. The frost was real, of ice, though. It sparkled in the sunshine. We do not have snow on the ground, but winter days can be beautiful anyway. You can feel that it is cold outside, but it is far from the cold temperatures that bothers a Shiba. We enjoyed the morning walk.

Bleed

The radiator in our bedroom has been much colder than the radiators in the other rooms. Daniel took a tool and bled the radiator. Air left it, and thewarm water could get in. Now we have a warm radiator in the bedroom as well.

It is amazing that such a small act as bleeding the radiator can make such a huge difference. I like this. I like a warm room in the winter.

Filet

Tonight, I got some moose filet. Nothing is better, is it? Do I need to say more?

End

I am concerned about Soya, my granddaughter. There are things happening in her family, she may have to move to a new place with just parts of her family. It might turn out for the best, but I am still not sure.Wewill have to see what happens.

Orange Day

Hello, Orange here!

Today is Orange Day. In 2008, the Secretary General of the United Nations declared the 25th day of each month Orange Day, a day to honour women and to unite to end violence against women.

This is a good cause. It is great that such a good cause is symbolised by the colour orange, the greatest of colours. I like it.

Deforestation

Brazilians do not take enough care of their forests. There is too much deforestation in the amazon rain forest, the largest rain forest on Earth. I am worried. This forest is important for the weather, climate, and environment of the whole planet. The government blames illegal logging, but obviously does not do enough to curb the problem. They should learn from the sustainable use of forests which we have in the Nordic countries, I believe.

Bad Reception

The mobile telephone reception in our house varies from time to time. We normally have good reception, but occasionally, it is really bad. Paula is working tonight, and she had to ring us four times, before she got a reception and could talk to us.

Luckily, it is rarely this bad. It is just that I hope we never have to make an emergency telephone call when the reception is as bad as it happened to be tonight. This could jeopardise life, in a worst case scenario. It is a scenario witha low probability of occuring, nevertheless, it bothers me a little. We have to hope my fear never comes true.

Colder

Winter is coming. We have had temperatures below the freezing point all day today, if my sources are correct.

So far, we have no snow. November is still as dark as it can get. With snow on the ground, it gets brighter and one feels happier. In December, we also have the Christmas lights. Soon, Christmas will be here, a time for great food. I am looking forward to Christmas and hope for a thicklayer of snow to play in.

A Little Snow

Snow fell this morning. We had temperatures around the freezing point. Later, the temperature rose a few degrees. The snow thawed, of course.

The layer of snow which we did get, was just about a millimetre. It made the morning brighter, but it is nothing more, nothing to jump around and play in. It is still November, more snow will surely come later in the season. I am looking forward to this.

Fetching Paula

Paula was out with friends tonight, having dinner. When they were done, Daniel would come fetch her. We did what we always do under these circumstances: I came along. Both Daniel and Paula like that I am there in the car. I like it too, it makes me feel a little more special. It is almost like I wish Paula would be out more often.

Moving the Keyboard

I often borrow Daniel’s tablet to write my blog posts. Tonight, the keyboard was moved on the screen. I had to look into this, consult help functions, and then I managed to move the keyboard back.  It was not difficult, but it made me lose focus. It is not good that these things can happen sort of by accident. I guess I did not have anything more important to write about, anyway.

The Kilogram

The scientific community has decided to change the definition of a kilogram, the SI unit for mass. It will no longer be dependent of a platinum weight in Paris, but will be dependent upon measurements against electric force balancing the mass against gravity.

The kilogram weight deteriorates. Any mass deteriorates. Thismeans that if the definition is based on a deteriorating weight, the mass of 1 kg will constantly change. The new definition keeps 1 kg at a more stable value.

This is interesting. It means that when I stand on scales to measure my own weight, it will be measured aganist a more secure definition. I like this.

Sunshine

The sun was visible on the sky today. There were no clouds in the way. This is odd, for being November. I would want to see the sun more often.

Candy

Calvin got his claws cut this morning, and got some candy for the trouble. I envied him for this. Candy is great, I would gladly have my claws cut for some pieces of candy.

Not a Day of Rest

Paula tried to sleep today, because she would work tonight. I am sorry to say she did not get much sleep. There were simply too many disturbing things going on in the neighbourhood, things that we, who are watchdogs, cannot just ignore. It is our duty to watch the house and allert Paula if something odd is going on. I can understand she was not too happy, but what is a dog to do? You cannot step down from your duty just like that. This is as if you would have an electric alarm, but would turn it off to avoid getting disturbed. Dogs are better than electric alarms, we cannot be turned off. Today, however, I am afraid Paula viewed this as a negative feature with us. I hope it will be less disturbing things going on outside tomorrow, so we can let Paula sleep.

Silly Protests

People demonstrating for tougher political measurements against climate change have glued themselves to the UK Energy Department.

I do not really understand protests like this, not in a democracy with freedom of speech. Is it not better to try to convince people by stating facts and arguments, rather than just sitting in the way of people? The cause against climate change is important, but I think it is too important for protests like this. I fail to see how these protests can convince anybody. I hope I am wrong, that people get convinced, but I do not know how they would be. People are not very wise, sometimes.

Ginger Bread Dough

Hello, Karstuhl here!

We had some ginger bread dough at home. Instead of making ginger bread, we are the doigh as it was. I actually prefer it this way. What point is it to make ginger bread, if the dough tastes better?

Father’s Day

It is Father’s Day in Sweden today. My father passed away years ago. I celebrate others, instead. In many ways, Daniel acts like a father figure for us dogs, so we celebrated him.

It is also the hundred years anniversary of the end of the First World War today. The armistice was signed and went into force one hundred years ago. Daniel said this was important. I agree, though I do not know very much about this war. Peace is always important. I hope for peace for a long time.

Restful Day

We took it easy the whole day today. We slept or just hung around.

I like the occasional day that is just about rest. I believe we need days like this. While many days are days when you produce something, or make a change in other ways, you do not need to have it like this every day. When you rest, you get prepared to make a better job the next day. This is good.

Friday Night

It is Friday night, aand we are having a party! 🥂

Yeah!

One of Paula’s Favourite Movies

We watched a Swedish movie from the 1980’s tonight. Paula told us it has been one of her favourite movies since she first saw it back when it was new.

The movie was called Vargens tid (Time of the Wolf) and took place some time in the 1500’s, I believe. The title was promising and there were some wolves and dogs in it. The main story was a love story between humans, however. It was a nice story and well made, but I would have wanted to see more wolves. I guess human audiences does not care as mich as I do about this.

Day of the Dogs in Nepal

There is a great tradition in Nepal. In an annual week of festivities around this time of the year, they celebrate the Day of the Dogs and give all dogs special treatment.

The Nepalese tradition comes from their Hindu faith. I do think humans of other faiths could also have annual days of the dog. Dogs are worth celebrating, are we not?

Roller Skis

There are roller skiers who go down our road to practice. We live on a long, straight road withlittle traffic, soit fits the roller skiers nicely.

The trouble is the noise of the roller skis. We can understand that the roller skiers talk and even shout to each other, but their roller skis make an awful noise. I wish they would not. This is why we bark at them, if we are outdoors when the roller skiers come by.

Runners and bicyclists are much more silent. I like them much better.

National Tree on the Verge of Extinction?

The national tree of Colombia, a wax palm tree, may be on the verge of extinction. Clearings of forests for the purpose of holding cattle makes the environment unfit for new trees to start growing.

I hope the tree is saved. It is not too late yet. It seems like it just takes the determination of some land owners. Saving tree species is important, just like any species.

American Relatives

We watched the last episode of a TV show today, that was about Americans searching for their roots and relatives in Sweden. We have seen many episodes of this show. It has been interesting and we have learned more about Sweden and America.

I can relate to this, but from an opposite point of view. Mum was from America. Ihave never been there. Sometimes, though, Ihave wanted togo there, meet relatives, and compete at American dog shows. It would have been nice to follow up Mum’s US show championship with a US show championship of my own. I guess this is too late now. It would be great if a great grandpup or so of mine would be US show champion. This would honour Mum.

Mopeds

Hello, Karstuhl here!

Late tonight, when we were outside for the last time before making it a night, a couple of loud mopeds went past down the road. We barked at them, of course. If the moped drivers want to disturb us with their noise, we try to talk back to them. I am not sure they heard us over the noise of the engines. They did not come back, however. I believe we can count this as a victory, of sorts anyway. We did not get disturbed anymore.

In Remenbrance

This weekend is when we remember and commemorate the loved ones whom we have lost. I remember my Mum and my Dad, my Auntie Linni, my husband Kenny, my friend April, April’s daughter Peanut, my friend Tenn, my friend Primus, my friend Thomas. I also remember Paula’s grandparents Gullie and Gunnar. Others may also have crossed my roads during my lifetime, but are not here anymore. I wish they all have a good afterlife.

Chimney

We had the chimney swept today. The chimney sweeper was quite all right, he did his job without caring mich about us dogs.

It is nice to have a chimney which is clean inside. It helps the fires in the fire place burn nicely and it makes the risk of uncontrolled fires much lower.

Fires in the fire place is one of the cozy things of winter. I am glad Paula and Daniel knows how to control fire. Controlling fire is one of those things humans have always done for dogs.